The 500 Smith & Wesson "Special" cartridge was introduced in 2006 by Cor-Bon AmmunitionCompany, to be used in the 500 Smith & Wesson Magnum Pistol as a lighter load.Basically ( like the 44 Special is to the 44 Magnum) the 500 S&W Special is a shortened version of the500 Smith & Wesson Magnum Cartridge.See the picture ( Nickel 500 S&W Magnum vs. the shorter Brass 500 S&W Special)The 500 Smith & Wesson Magnum has a case length of 1.619" and an overall length of 2.003" vs. the 500 S&W Special has a case length of 1.274" and an overall length of 1.733".